Heart-Healthy Grilled BBQ Ribs
Indulge in the smoky, succulent flavors of *Heart-Healthy Grilled BBQ Ribs*—a guilt-free twist on a classic barbecue favorite! Perfectly seasoned with a blend of garlic, smoked paprika, and cumin, these tender baby back ribs are marinated in a savory, low-sodium soy sauce and apple juice mixture to ensure maximum flavor without the added salt. Slowly grilled over indirect heat for melt-in-your-mouth perfection, they're finished with a homemade BBQ sauce made with honey, tomato paste, and a hint of liquid smoke for that irresistible barbecue flair—minus the excess sugar. This recipe is a dream for health-conscious food lovers, taking just 20 minutes of prep time before the grill does the rest. Serve up these fall-off-the-bone ribs at your next gathering for a light and delicious treat that doesn’t compromise on taste!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 racks Pork baby back ribs
- 0.25 cup Low-sodium soy sauce
- 0.5 cup Unsweetened apple juice
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Chili powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.25 cup Honey
- 3 tablespoons Tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Liquid smoke
Instructions
1. Prepare the ribs by removing the membrane on the back of each rack. Use a knife to loosen the membrane at one end, then use a paper towel to grip and pull it off completely.
2. In a bowl, combine the low-sodium soy sauce, unsweetened apple juice, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, chili powder, and black pepper. Mix well to create the marinade.
3. Place the ribs in a large resealable plastic bag or deep dish. Pour the marinade over the ribs, ensuring they are fully coated. Seal and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, up to overnight for more intense flavor.
4. Preheat your grill to medium-low heat (about 275°F) using indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, move the charcoal to one side to create indirect heat.
5. Remove the ribs from the marinade and place them on the grill, bone side down. Close the grill lid and cook slowly for about 3 hours, maintaining a steady temperature. Check occasionally to ensure indirect heat is maintained.
6. While ribs are cooking, prepare the heart-healthy BBQ sauce. Mix honey, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, and liquid smoke in a small saucepan. Heat over low heat, stirring until well combined and slightly thickened. Set aside.
7. After 3 hours, start basting the ribs with the BBQ sauce every 15 minutes for an additional 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the ribs are tender and the meat pulls away from the bones easily.
8. Remove the ribs from the grill and allow them to rest for about 10 minutes. Slice into individual ribs and serve them hot, with any remaining BBQ sauce on the side.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
5087 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 354.7 g | 455% | |
| Saturated Fat | 131.3 g | 656% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1232 mg | 411% | |
| Sodium | 3665 mg | 159% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 96.3 g | 35% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.8 g | 17% | |
| Total Sugars | 80.0 g | ||
| Protein | 386.9 g | 774% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 285 mg | 22% | |
| Iron | 22.2 mg | 123% | |
| Potassium | 5194 mg | 111% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
